District lessons for launching teacher-of-color support initiatives: safe space, clear goals, buy-in, and relationship time¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

In its Implications section, the report distills advice from initiative participants for other districts. Contributors emphasized "building and establishing a safe space where people can be their authentic selves" as integral; an Admiral Squad educator advised "Define your goals. What makes your district special?" and to "Try to get buy-in"; and a SPECTRA teacher recommended creating space and time to meet together and identifying stakeholders with connections who can bring in human capital.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Leadership in place and properly scheduled professional development days, per interviewee advice

Constraints¶

• Lessons are drawn from four case studies; the report does not test their generalizability

Target Learners¶

• District leaders and educators replicating teacher-of-color initiatives

Target Learning Goals¶

• Designing and sustaining recruitment and retention programs for teachers of color

Affordances¶

• Inclusive Innovation Model Digital Promise

Related Strategies¶

• Before a study, researchers should present the proposal to district administration, hold conversations with administrators and teachers, and host parent events to build buy-in
• Design future cross-sector collaboration efforts with clear goals and sufficient time period and scope, and include teacher-level activities
• Retention supports for teachers of color: networking platforms, safe spaces, mental health resources, race-conscious mentorship, and flexible career pathways
• Build authentic stakeholder buy-in through relational strategies: show don't tell, slow down to speed up, engage resistors, and asset framing
• Implementation lessons for sexual health programs in juvenile justice settings: relatable facilitators, delivery flexibility, advocate relationships, and stakeholder buy-in

Examples¶

• SPECTRA at Princeton City Schools — training, relationships and affirmation for educators of color

Key Sources¶

• Iloh, C. (2024, February). Recruitment and Retention: Impact of Pilot Solutions Designed by Teachers of Color (Phase II). Digital Promise. https://doi.org/10.51388/20.500.12265/216